Total Pro Sports
Retirement usually means a fishing pole, a golf cart, and long afternoons with nothing on the calendar. Derek Carr clearly didn’t get that memo. Just a few months after announcing his NFL exit, the longtime quarterback already lined up a brand-new gig.
Carr shocked fans back in May when he revealed he would not return for a third season with the New Orleans Saints. The decision hit hard because he still had plenty of football left in him, but the quarterback revealed the truth in a statement. He had a torn right labrum and “significant degenerative changes” in his rotator cuff. That health scare forced him to call it a career.
The 34-year-old left behind more than 41,000 passing yards, 257 touchdowns, and countless Sundays of leading huddles. He also walked away from $30 million in salary this offseason. Fans in New Orleans didn’t complain about that part, but the news still left many wondering what Carr would do next.
According to Rashad Milligan of NOLA.com, Carr already signed on as a studio analyst. He will break down the Week 1 matchup between the Kansas City Chiefs and Los Angeles Chargers on YouTube TV. The game will take place in Brazil, adding another layer of intrigue.
Carr won’t be alone in front of the cameras. His former Saints teammate Tyrann Mathieu, who also retired this summer, will sit beside him. Mathieu brings a Super Bowl ring, 838 tackles, and a reputation as one of the smartest defensive backs of his generation. The two should make for an interesting duo.
Carr has plenty of inspiration close to home too. His older brother, David Carr, has been an analyst with NFL Network since 2016. Derek now gets his shot to explain coverages, predict plays, and give fans an inside look at the game he lived for more than a decade.
The Saints might miss Carr’s leadership, but football fans won’t lose him completely. He steps off the field and into a role that lets him stay connected without risking more damage to his arm. Considering he’s less than a year removed from competing against the Chiefs and Chargers, his insight should be sharp.
This new chapter comes after a difficult stretch for Derek Carr. He battled his shoulder issues while also dealing with the heartbreak of his wife, Heather, suffering a miscarriage on the very day they were set to travel to New Orleans for his check-up. It was a heavy season for their family, but now the hope is that things start to turn for the better.
